All About the LEGO Foundation

25 July 2016

The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future in which learning through play empowers children to become creative and engaged lifelong learners.

Believing that sustainable change happens when you transform attitudes and behaviors across society, the LEGO Foundation works with parents, carers, schools, institutions, and governments all around the world.

UNICEF/SouthAfrica/Octavia Sithole/2015

Tangible successes

Since partnering with UNICEF in 2015, the LEGO Foundation has collaborated with the LEGO Group to provide boxes of LEGO play materials for UNICEF initiatives around the world.

In Iraq, where decades of conflict have profoundly disrupted the education system, 4,800 boxes have been contributed, giving around 50,000 children the chance to play and learn. “Many children have come into this world and grown up knowing only displacement and conflict,” Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Iraq, comments. “The donation from the LEGO Foundation is one positive step forward, allowing some of the most disadvantaged children to play and learn in a fun and safe environment, and become the next generation to build a better future for Iraq.”

The LEGO Foundation has built upon its existing work in Ukraine by supplying over 1,600 boxes. Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine, observes: "This partnership with the LEGO Foundation enables UNICEF to provide a chance to play and learn to over 18,000 conflict-affected children”.

In South Africa, 2,000 vulnerable children have directly benefited from LEGO DUPLO boxes, raised through the Tower Of Imagination campaign [link to Tower Of Imagination success story article]. Training was also part of the donation made by the LEGO Foundation, helping to further build the skills of hundreds of educators and caregivers.

Melita Talakgale, head teacher at the Swarishanang Center, speaks highly of her training: “The LEGO DUPLO play materials opened my eyes to see how much can be done.” And it’s a sentiment echoed by Gertrude Peyani, a teacher at Diepsloot Preschool: “I feel empowered and proud when I see LEGO DUPLO bricks these days because now I know what to do to make a difference.”

Tangible successes

Since partnering with UNICEF in 2015, the LEGO Foundation has collaborated with the LEGO Group to provide boxes of LEGO play materials for UNICEF initiatives around the world.

In Iraq, where decades of conflict have profoundly disrupted the education system, 4,800 boxes have been contributed, giving around 50,000 children the chance to play and learn. “Many children have come into this world and grown up knowing only displacement and conflict,” Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Iraq, comments. “The donation from the LEGO Foundation is one positive step forward, allowing some of the most disadvantaged children to play and learn in a fun and safe environment, and become the next generation to build a better future for Iraq.”

The LEGO Foundation has built upon its existing work in Ukraine by supplying over 1,600 boxes. Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine, observes: "This partnership with the LEGO Foundation enables UNICEF to provide a chance to play and learn to over 18,000 conflict-affected children”.

In South Africa, 2,000 vulnerable children have directly benefited from LEGO DUPLO boxes, raised through the Tower Of Imagination campaign [link to Tower Of Imagination success story article]. Training was also part of the donation made by the LEGO Foundation, helping to further build the skills of hundreds of educators and caregivers.

Melita Talakgale, head teacher at the Swarishanang Center, speaks highly of her training: “The LEGO DUPLO play materials opened my eyes to see how much can be done.” And it’s a sentiment echoed by Gertrude Peyani, a teacher at Diepsloot Preschool: “I feel empowered and proud when I see LEGO DUPLO bricks these days because now I know what to do to make a difference.”

Tangible successes

Since partnering with UNICEF in 2015, the LEGO Foundation has collaborated with the LEGO Group to provide boxes of LEGO play materials for UNICEF initiatives around the world.

In Iraq, where decades of conflict have profoundly disrupted the education system, 4,800 boxes have been contributed, giving around 50,000 children the chance to play and learn. “Many children have come into this world and grown up knowing only displacement and conflict,” Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Iraq, comments. “The donation from the LEGO Foundation is one positive step forward, allowing some of the most disadvantaged children to play and learn in a fun and safe environment, and become the next generation to build a better future for Iraq.”

The LEGO Foundation has built upon its existing work in Ukraine by supplying over 1,600 boxes. Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine, observes: "This partnership with the LEGO Foundation enables UNICEF to provide a chance to play and learn to over 18,000 conflict-affected children”.

In South Africa, 2,000 vulnerable children have directly benefited from LEGO DUPLO boxes, raised through the Tower Of Imagination campaign [link to Tower Of Imagination success story article]. Training was also part of the donation made by the LEGO Foundation, helping to further build the skills of hundreds of educators and caregivers.

Melita Talakgale, head teacher at the Swarishanang Center, speaks highly of her training: “The LEGO DUPLO play materials opened my eyes to see how much can be done.” And it’s a sentiment echoed by Gertrude Peyani, a teacher at Diepsloot Preschool: “I feel empowered and proud when I see LEGO DUPLO bricks these days because now I know what to do to make a difference.”

UNICEF/SouthAfrica/Octavia Sithole/2015

A multilayered approach

The LEGO Foundation’s projects and partnerships are plentiful. It runs a number of programs, carries out extensive research, holds think-tank conferences, and supplies boxes of LEGO® play materials to children in need.

Thinking inside the box

Demonstrating the power of play, each box consists of new LEGO bricks and elements selected from unused returned goods, faultily packaged goods, obsolete elements, and more. The boxes are packed by 175 volunteers, retired LEGO employees, and a professional team, to provide the highest quality play experience possible.

It’s easy to show your support and help celebrate the importance of play. Just share a picture or video of your family’s happy play moment using the hashtag #PartnersInPlay on Twitter, Instagram, or the LEGO DUPLO Facebook page.